Marketplace Hardware

Lexmark introduces new range of laser printersNew models focus on economic running, with specialist features for differing solutions

Lexmark has introduced several new printers in both its MFD and laser categories, as it looks to help its small and medium business users lower costs by saving paper and energy.

It has bolstered its colour laser printer range with the launch of the C540 and X540 Series. Both feature built-in two-sided printing, an eco-mode to reduce power consumption and a quiet mode that reduces noise emissions.

The vendor has also updated its range of professional series monochrome printers, including the E260d and E260dn, which come with two-sided printing, the same eco-mode and an instant warm up fuser to save energy when not in use. Its E360d and E360dn, on the other hand, offer the fastest print speeds in their class and also feature expanded memory for printing graphic-intensive documents, making them ideal for creative industries.

"Lexmark is committed to helping our customers print less and save more," said Lexmark's vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services division, Marty Canning.

"Our new, reliable line of monochrome laser printers offer outstanding image quality, fast print speeds and reliable operation to help businesses save time and money and reduce their impact on the environment."

Touch and green key for AsusVendor looks to Bamboo-zle the competition as it launches its wood-based laptop and touchscreen Eee device

Asus took advantage of the Stuff Live Consumer Electronics Show at the end of October to show off two of its latest products.

First up is the vendor's Bamboo Notebook, which was first announced as the EcoBook back in June 2007. It's finally approaching retail, with the firm proclaiming its green credentials as the defining unique selling point of the new device.

The firm sees the device, which is mainly constructed from bamboo, as a key product as it looks to position itself as the greenest PC vendor in the channel.

It was also showing off a new direction for its Eee line of PCs, debuting its touchscreen variety in the UK for the first time.

The Eee Top 1602 series is a range of touchscreen computers that the firm claims have all the functionality of a regular desktop touchscreen, but at a much lower cost.

The firm is hoping that the device will prove to be the ideal expansion of its Eee brand and its reputation as being an easy-to-use computer range, with it positioning the product as 'foolproof' for even the least proficient of users.

No information concerning the launch of the two products have been announced, but keep an eye on the PC Retail website for the latest details.

Thermaltake has debuted a new PC, which it is describing as an "engineering and technical masterpiece".

The Spedo full tower case is designed to be as tidy and as cool as possible, with Thermaltake taking several design decisions to ensure that the case helps the hardware contained within stay as cool and as neat as is possible.

The firm claims that it has introduced "a multitude of innovative ventilation features", which help to keep the device cool. It is joined by the vendor's advanced thermal chamber design, which divides the case into several sections, each isolating the CPU, GPU and PSU to help keep its temperature low.

In addition, it also features cable routing management, which keeps cables secured behind exclusive plastic covers behind the motherboard, which also helps assist the cases' Fancool 8, which allows the case to support up to eight fans, to maintain airflow.

Exclusive distributor VIP said it has high hopes for the product. "The Spedo chassis is an exciting new design for Thermaltake and as the sole UK distributor, we are looking forward to introducing this case to the UK market," commented product manager Victoria Davies.

In addition, the laptop comes with a 16-inch widescreen high definition display and Freeview thanks to its built-in DVB-T tuner. It also has a multi-format DVD/CD burner and a HDMI port, allowing users to make the most of the multimedia capabilities of the laptop.

It also comes with a built-in webcam and microphone, ensuring that users can communicate out of the box. And in these days of increased worry over security, potential customers could be swayed by the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner.

Bundled in the box is also a protective carry bag, remote for the Freeview tuner and USB optical mouse. It also comes with Microsoft Works 9.0, Medion Home Cinema Suite, Nero Essentials, Corel Draw Essentials 3 and a 90-day trial of Bullguard Internet Security Suite, in addition to Microsoft Vista Home Premium.

The PC is greater than the sum of its parts, and the enthusiastic PC owner knows that when it comes to performance, every piece counts. Matt Grainger takes a look at the high-end components, accessories and peripherals that are guaranteed to take a computer to its highest capabilities?